Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-07-09
AN INDIGNANT DEMOCRAT.
The G.. A. Il. Accused OF Being a Repub-
lican Machine.

The G.. A. Il. Accused Of Being Repub-
Iican Machine.
To tss Eiitor Of he Register:
1t is high time for the Democratic party
to cease playing into the hands of its oppO-
nents through the medium OF the Grand
Army of the Republic. That the latter
organization is well-disguised Republic
can machine is apparent TO even casual
observer. When it was tirst organized 1t
was differed throughout by Republicans,
and its rank and file were mainly OF the
same political faith. 1t was then bold
IN used for eiectiOnrering purposes. On
the eve o: every important election it WAS
its custom to hold soldiers Reunions,
1t which the people were addressed by
Republican-always Republican-stump-
ers. To such an extent Was its partisan
ship carried that many good men, who did
not believe in prOstituting the Union sol
diery to the base purposes
of politicians. left its ranks.
The G.. 4. K. began TO
wane and soon dwindled into a very feeble
organization. A change OF tactics Was for
awhile resorted 10. PartiSafship was dis
claimed more vehemently that ever before
and the public We're assured that the
e.. A. r. was for the soldier and the sol
dier's interests exclusively. Hancock was
called 10 the front and placed in command
with a view to enticing Democratic soldiers
into its ranks. The scheme succeeded,
and the C.. A. K. again rose in popular
favor, its ranks rapidly filled and it once
more became a power in the land. Then
began the same old tactics OF the pOlitl-
cianS of working the order in the interests
of the Republican party, and to-day 1t Is
the most potent part OF that party 5 ni-
chiuery.
Does any Democrat doubt what | have
said? Let him glance ut the political
complexion of the officers OF the Organiza-
ton and be- will see that from the highest
TO the lowest they are Republicans. There
have been a few exceptions 10 this rule, rs
in the case of Gen. Hancock, but these can
always be explained on sinister grounds.
The Democrats are kept in the back
ground, as they should be Ill Republi-
can organization.
Within the past few weeks the public
have witnessed such exhibitions of hatred
by the controlling element of the G. A. K.
toward everything Democratic as leave no
longer On excuse tor Democrats to aid and
abet the organization.
In Maine the c. 4. K refused 10 pass
under banner on the Fourth Of July be-
cause it had formerly been used in Demo
cratic professions.
At Clinton, \. Y, the q. \. K. Posts
have refused to parade on the occasion OF
the Centennial celebration because Dem
Ocratic President has been invited to par
ticipate IN the ceremonies.
In Wheeling, when it was learned that
few enterpTising citizens were endeayOr-
ing to secure the attendance of the PreSI-
dent At the coming Soldiers Reunion, it
WAS promptly announced that the offer to
attend would be declined with thanks,
and the Il. 4. K. of this city has as yet
failed TO officially disOwn such a senti-
ment.
And throughout the country, post after
post has signIied its intention ct stay
my away from the St. Louis reunion be-
cause the President of the United States
was TO be there. So loud and bitter be-
came the clamOr against the Presidents
visit to st. Louis that he has wisely aban-
doned it.
Does any one believe that the G. A. r.
would interpOSe the slightest objection TO
the visit OF Republican President to any
Ofits reunions?
IL is useless for the Grand Army of the
Republic 10 continue to wear its Janus face.
HypOcritical professions of patriotism have
mad their day and served their purpose
well. It'll time now for Democrats 10
call a halt. They cannot now tail to see,
humiliating as the realization is, that
they have been for years playing second
fiddle 10 the Republican party through
the &. A. T. Let there be no more swell
ing OF its membership by Democrats, but
let them come out from the camp OF the
enemy. Let there be TO more cOntIibu-
tions Of money, and let the Democratic
press and Democratic speakers strip from
the c. 4. us guiSs Of excessive patriot
ism and show the world its rank Repub-
hcaniSm. JACKSON.
WReeIiRg, JUN :, 1851